LOGINIf Damien knew now… he’d use it. Trap me in the marriage. Or worse, he’d let his mother finish what she started, for the “good of the pack.”The doctor’s face darkened with every word, compassion turning to quiet outrage on my behalf.“You were forced the first time?” she asked, voice low and tight.
I blinked groggily, the anesthesia still fogging my brain.Pregnant?My hand flew instinctively to my stomach, flat, empty, aching with an old ghost.Impossible.The pills Victoria had forced down my throat, bitter and chalky. The cramps that had torn me apart from the inside, wave after relentless
The host wrapped things up swiftly after that, voice brisk.No follow-up questions directed my way. No chance to respond, to defend, to exist.As chairs scraped back and people began standing, murmuring among themselves about the "tragic revelations," Damien turned to Helena and my father. “You neve
Damien leaned in closer to me. A shiver ran up and down my spine. I could smell the scent of pine and earth that always emanated from him. Feel the heat of his body near mine. The rest of the world disappeared. The press conference, the journalists, the flashing lights, the microphones, it all just
“Leave us,” he said to the other men in the room, without taking his eyes off mine.“But, sir–” one of the Elders started to argue.“Leave us,” Damien repeated himself, which he never liked to do.The men quickly filed out of the room, leaving us alone.Damien and I continued to stare into each othe
SeraphinaI couldn’t believe what mother was saying. I had no idea Damien updated the settlement, let alone that he gave her even more money.“I saw the updated papers myself,” Helena continued, smug now. “He added a fortune. Guilt, probably. Or whatever passes for a heart in that boy.”I could bare
The soup was still dripping from Seraphina’s pretty dress when she turned those wide, teary eyes on Damien. She didn’t have to try hard; the tears came instantly, spilling down her cheeks. She had always been so good at faking it.“Damien,” she whispered, voice trembling. “She just… attacked me. Out
LioraPart of me wanted to send it all back. The handbag, the wallet, the scarf. Box it up neatly, return to sender, make a statement that I didn’t need his handouts. That I was done accepting scraps.But part of me wanted to clutch it close, bury my face in the scarf and pretend that it meant somet
“Hi!” Seraphina said cheerfully, pushing her way into the room. “Just wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re settling in okay. And look what Damien surprised me with yesterday.” She lifted her hand to the necklace. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach. I felt so stupid.
Damien looked down at the clipboard, fingers tightening around the edge as he began to read Liora’s medical records.The top page was basic information. Patient's name, age, weight.Just as he went to turn the page, his phone buzzed sharply.Damien glanced at the screen. His mother.He casually put







